FRED MITCHELL'S Q&A.

Ulice Payne

The former Marquette basketball player, lawyer and community activist is the first African-American club president of a Major League Baseball team as the head of the Milwaukee Brewers

Q. How has the transition been since Wendy Selig-Prieb asked you to assume the duties as president and CEO of the Brewers last September?

A. I have a lot to learn, and I continue to learn every day. I am an athlete at heart. I used to play baseball for many years. Getting back into the game is nice. But also it is pretty exciting because the ballclub is in a great park. We lost a lot of games the last two years, but people are still enthusiastic about the ballclub.

Q. Many people remember you as a key member of the 1977 NCAA champion Marquette basketball team. Can you give me a little background on your career since then?

A. I practiced law all of my life. I was commissioner of securities in Wisconsin for three years. I managed a law firm (Foley & Lardner) for about six months before I left for the Brewers position. My partners are all individual business people in a way, with strong egos and different styles, but all relating to making money. So this is very similar.

Q. What is the toughest adjustment you have had to make with the Brewers?

A. The difference is that you are so public [in baseball]. If I reduce my head count in the front office by a few people because the economics are not good, it's in the paper. Most things we do, unlike other positions I have held, everyone has an opinion about it and everybody is writing about it in the morning paper.

Q. As the first African-American club president, do you feel a sense of being a pioneer?

A. I am proud of my heritage, and I am who I am. So the fact I am the first--I am very grateful for that. And I feel a sense of responsibility because people are watching me as the first. But I know that my race didn't get me the job and it won't keep the job for me. Ultimately I have to come through as an executive.

Q. What was your reaction to Marquette reaching the Final Four this spring?

A. It kind of brought me back and showed me how old I am. Now we are talking about 26 years ago and it doesn't seem that long. I am so proud of the Marquette team. I am on the board of trustees there. And I am really proud for what they have done for the university.

Q. Even though the Cubs and Brewers have not fared well in recent years, an exciting rivalry has developed between the neighboring clubs. How do you account for that?

A. We lost 106 games last year. But the one team that we beat overall over 18 games was the Cubs. It's not exactly like the Bears and Packers rivalry, but the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor is great. It's good for everybody.